Blood tests and what they tell us

Unlike humans, pets are unable to tell us where it hurts, what happened, or how they are feeling. In this article we discuss blood tests and why they are recommended for your pet.

While veterinarians are very good at using physical and behavioural indicators to help identify illness in pets, often further tests are required to determine a diagnosis and guide specific treatment recommendations.

This is particularly important in our aging pets as many conditions can develop with age and have significant changes that affect our pet’s health, however they don’t show any obvious signs outwardly. For example, symptoms of kidney disease only show up when 75% of the kidney is already irreversibly damaged!

Why would my pet need a blood test?

Blood tests are extremely helpful tests that can give your veterinarian information about the function of your pet’s internal organs, their immune system, whether your pet has a certain disease and how that disease is affecting their body.

Blood tests are often used to identify potential health issues before anaesthesia and surgery, to screen for diseases or for monitoring the effects of specific drug treatments.

Blood tests can identify some health conditions that could be affecting your pet, before they are showing any symptoms. This can lead to early detection of these conditions, allowing your veterinarian to begin treatment earlier and your pet to feel better sooner.

There are many reasons why your pet may need a blood test, and a huge range of different tests available. Your veterinarian will discuss which are the most appropriate for your pet’s circumstances based on the age, medical history and physical assessment of your pet during a consultation.

What do blood tests reveal?

The most common tests look at the function of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Enzymes can be tested which can indicate potential muscle damage and inflammation. Red and white blood cell levels can also be assessed to give your veterinarian information on your pet’s hydration status, anaemia, inflammation, infection, and immune system responses.

Your veterinarian will analyse blood results in conjunction with other findings to give a comprehensive overview of your pet’s health.

How often should pets have a blood test?

This will depend on the age and diseases or conditions that your pet has. It is recommended that a blood test be done before any general anaesthetic as this helps identify any underlying problems that can then be managed appropriately. 

As pets get older and start to experience age related problems, a yearly blood test is recommended. This enables conditions or diseases to be detected in the early stages, allowing earlier intervention or preventative measures to be taken to slow the progress of disease, or stop it developing altogether.

Some medications will require more frequent monitoring to ensure your pet is coping well with the medication, that the dosage is correct, and to monitor side effects.

How are blood tests performed?

Depending on the test required, the blood test can either be taken during a regular consultation, or your pet may need to be admitted into the hospital for the day if a series of tests at certain times are required. Your veterinarian will be able to give you information specific to your pet’s situation.

Your pet will have a small amount of hair clipped from one of their front legs, or from their neck, before the area is sterilised with an alcohol swab. Using a syringe and needle, a small amount of blood is collected and then transferred into special tubes. This is then either processed in-house in our blood analysis machines or sent to an external laboratory. 

Our in-house laboratory equipment can provide accurate, rapid results which is especially important in sick pets and those requiring immediate or emergency treatment. For specialised tests needing to be sent out to an external veterinary laboratory the results can take a bit longer to receive. Your veterinary team will inform you of the results when they are available.

Contact your nearest Animates Vetcare clinic to book your pet’s wellness consultation and ensure your pet can be healthier for longer.

Article disclaimer: The above information is provided for pet owner education only and not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a veterinarian. Animates Vetcare disclaims liability for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, that may result from the use of or reliance on information provided in this article. If you are concerned your pet may have a health condition, please contact your local veterinary clinic for advice.